But, in making their way through the crowd, they were soon brought to a stand-still, and found themselves face to face with Constance. By this time Atherton had recovered his self-possession, and bowed coldly, and his salutation was as distantly returned. Beppy, however, who had some little malice in her composition, rather enjoyed the situation, and not feeling inclined to put an end to it, immediately engaged Miss Rawcliffe in conversation, and left Atherton to Monica and Jemmy Dawson. Fain would he have escaped, but he could not leave Beppy, who, indeed, did not relinquish her hold of his arm. Luckily, champagne was brought by the attendants, and everybody took a glass, as in duty bound. Again the prince's health was drunk, and with as much enthusiasm as before, though Beppy only placed the glass to her lips. "You have not done justice to the toast, Miss Byrom," cried a voice near her. And turning, she perceived Colonel Townley, who had just entered the room with her father. "I have already drunk it," she replied. "But I have wine enough left to drink 'Success to the Manchester Regiment,' and I do so." And she again raised the glass to her lips. Colonel Townley bowed, and expressed his thanks. "More champagne," he cried to the attendants. "Gentlemen," he added, to his officers, "let us drink to Miss Rawcliffe and the ladies who have helped to raise the regiment." Due honour was done to the toast. As Atherton bowed to Constance, she regarded him coldly, and scarcely acknowledged the attention. "Something is wrong," thought Colonel Townley. "I must endeavour to set it right. You will be pleased to hear, Miss Rawcliffe," he said, "that his royal highness fully appreciates the service you have rendered him. I took care to tell him the Manchester Regiment owed Captain Legh to you." "The circumstance was scarcely worth mentioning," she rejoined, with affected indifference. "The prince thought otherwise," remarked Colonel Townley. "I will not repeat the flattering things he said----" "Oh, pray do not!" she interrupted. "I would rather not hear them." "But they relate chiefly to Captain Legh." "Then keep them for his private ear," she rejoined. The colonel shrugged his shoulders and said no more. Just then the pipers stationed in the court began to play, and as the hall-door stood open, the lively strains resounded through the house, and made the Highland officers eager for a dance. They began to talk about Scotch reels and other national dances, of which the young ladies had never heard, but they did not venture to propose any such agreeable exercise, as it would have been contrary to etiquette. The pipers, in fact, had been ordered to play as an intimation to the assemblage that the prince's levée was over, and as soon as this was understood the company began to depart.